Michal Kwiatkowski – a work in progress

When Omega Pharma-Quickstep’s Michal Kwiatkowski registered a top-five finish at the 2013 Amstel Gold Race, his placing was greeted as the blossoming of an exciting young talent. A year later, and with victories at the Volta ao Algarve and Strade Bianche added to his palmares, the 23-year-old Pole rolled out of Maastaricht as a pre-race favourite. His demolition of Cannondale’s Peter Sagan in Tuscany had done much to bolster his reputation ahead of the Ardennes Classics – an achievement rewarded by OPQS with the leader’s dossard for Amstel.

Backed by the most powerful team in one-day racing, with the likes of world time trial champion, Tony Martin, and world cyclo-cross champion, Zdenek Stybar, riding in his service, Kwiatkowski found himself perfectly positioned on the final ascent of the Cauberg for the biggest victory of his career. When BMC Racing’s Philippe Gilbert attacked, however, he was unable to respond. Jelle Vanendert (Lotto-Belisol), Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEDGE), and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) all had the beating of him, too.

There is no disgrace for a 23-year-old to finish fifth at the Amstel Gold Race, especially among such distinguished company, but his position showed that while Kwiatkowski is a shining talent, he is not yet the finished article. A collision with team-mate Martin sent his more accomplished team-mate into a hedge; an accident that is likely to cause the younger man embarrassment but no worse, given Martin’s escape from serious injury.

It is tempting to laud a talent as exciting as Kwiatkowski, able to win stage races and one-day events that more experienced colleagues have spent a career chasing,  as ready for greatness, but there are lessons for young Michal to learn and experiences to be gained before he can be considered a favourite for WorldTour races.